I’ve thought about this post many times. I’ve known what I wish to convey, but I’m still not certain exactly how to say it. It’s too big… too important… too significant a moment. (It’s so significant I may at least pen a second post!) It’s one of those precious moments in life that you want to embrace, hold so tight, and never let go; you are keenly aware that it will never come again.
My oldest son, Jake, finished high school last week. In a few days, he will don the cap and gown with his 350 some classmates and proudly walk with every bit of pomp and circumstance. I want to embrace the significance of that day. There are some things first I wish to say… to Jake… to each of our graduates…
Be thankful… Just getting to this day is an accomplishment. You had to work hard. Not everyday was your best day, but you are still here. Look around. Give thanks.
Be proud… You should be. Remember that pride and arrogance are not the same thing; don’t make that mistake. It’s ok to be proud as long as your pride doesn’t prompt a looking down on other people.
Be humble… Humility is not weakness; it doesn’t mean being downtrodden or stepped on. Humility simply means that you recognize you always have more to learn and don’t have life all figured out. You don’t. Enjoy and embrace it anyway and always.
Trust in the Lord… Commit to God whatever you wish to do, and he will establish your plans. He will direct your steps. Sometimes those steps will be far different than you ever desired. But if you seek him first, he will bless and care for you.
See life’s hardships as an opportunity to grow… I think one of society’s collective, biggest mistakes is that we work so hard to avoid any potentially painful scenario. I get it; pain hurts. But the reality is that the thorns and hardships in my life have taught me invaluable lessons. Embrace those lessons; don’t run from — or numb — reality. Focus more on the sufficiency of God’s grace than on the removal of the painful thorn.
Don’t get too caught up in this world… Don’t allow this world to determine what is good and true and right. Don’t allow human standards to determine morality. People are imperfect. Look for something better and more. Look for what lasts.
Don’t be dismayed… Precisely because people are imperfect, it’s easy to get disillusioned. Friends, someday, sometime, someone you love will hurt and disappoint you. It’s not because you misjudged them or they’re not who they say they are. Remember: we, too, are imperfect; we, too, will hurt others. Love through it. Learn that perseverance and forgiveness are vital to wisdom.
Remember your roots… While you are about to jet off and accomplish new, great things, never forget from where you came. Your history will be something God uses to promote the humility and thankfulness that will serve you well your entire life.
Love other people well… People who love God know the best way to reflect him is to love who he created. That means loving in sickness and health and for better or worse. That means loving when it isn’t easy or convenient. That means not taking wrongs so personally but loving boldly enough to help steer others away from those wrongs. Keep no record of any offense. Simply love others well. Always.
Give others — and yourself — generous grace… The withholding of grace will only hurt the beholder. Be generous. This is a key to wisdom. We will each make mistakes. We might make several still today. So give yourself grace. Laugh. Grace gives us space to grow.
Be confident… And from here you now go. Whatever’s next. It looks different for each of you, and that’s ok. Be of good courage. Know you can do this.
As a parent, I know I haven’t always conveyed everything as well as I’ve wanted to my sons. I’ve made many errors. I also had never done this parenting thing before. So let me say three more things before another round of “Pomp and Circumstance” begins to play… We love you. We believe in you. And we’re so excited for what’s next!
Blessings… to the Class of 2015. We are proud of you.
Respectfully… indeed…
AR
(Note: grad post #2 coming soon…)
Well said, Ann. Wise thoughts not only for the graduate but for all of us. Congratulations on the graduation of your oldest. May our gracious God bless each of his future steps on this road of life.